Dry closet.



G. A. N. COPPEDGE.

DRY CLOSBT.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 6, 1914.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

INVENTOR;v page,

ATTO R N EY THE NORRIS PEYERS CO.. PHOTO LlrHu. WASHING ION. D C.

GEORGE yALVAH N. COPPEDG, OF SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA. f

DRY CLOS'ET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application ledJ'uly 6, 1914K. Serial. N0. 849,218.` i l To all whom t may concern vBe it lrnown'that I, GEORGE A. N. Coro PEDGE, a citizen of the United States, residreceptacle. v y y Like numerals of reference designate cor ing at Sanford, in the county of Lee and State kof North Carolina, have inventada new and useful Dry Closet, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in dry closets.

rllhe object of the present inventionis to improve the construction of dry closets, more especially that shown and described in Patent No. 1,067,097, granted to me July S, 1913, and to provide a simple, pactical and inexpensive dry closet of strong and durable construction, equipped with an automatically closable lid adapted to be maintained in anV open position by leg pressure while occupying the seat, and by foot pressure in leaving the seat, wherebythe lid is prevented from automatically closing and striking a person. I

Another object of the invention is to enable the lid to be raised and held open by the foot when it is not desired to occupy the seat, and while removing the contents.

lVith these and other objects in viewthe invention consists in the construction and` novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accom.-`

panying drawing, and pointed out in the claims appended hereto, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope ofthe claims, may be re sortedl to without departing'y from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages ofthe invention. I

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dry closet constructed in accordance with this invention and shown open. Fig.l 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the same, the lid being shown closed in full lines and open in dotted lines. Fig, 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line l3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a detail lperspective vieviI of the upper portion responding parts in all the figures of l the Y drawing.

In the accompanying drawing,y in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, 1 designates an outer cylinT drical portable casing or receptacle designed to be constructed of galvanized iron or other of the removable in'nei casing or receptacle 1 is also preferably re-V inforced or stitened with wire, which is arranged in a'bead in the Iusual manner. The outer casing is equipped at the top witha seat 3, preferablyconstructed of wood and hinged at the back at i to a removable sup-k porting member 5, preferably constructed of galvanized sheet metal, and provided with an opening 6, corresponding with the seat opening 7. The supporting member, which is inclined downwardly and inwardly from the walls of the outer receptacle or casing 1 to the openings 6 for directing liquid matter into an inner'rernovable receptacle 8, is provided at its outer portion with an upwardly extending vertical flange 9, and an outwardly extending horizontal liange 10. This inclined portion ot the supporting member is arranged at an angle to the horizontal lower face of the seat, and

provides an intervening space .between thev Vsupported `.slightly above and out oi' contact with theupper face of the supporting mem- Patentednee. 1,1914.

ber 5 by buffers 11,0f rubber or 'other suit,-

able material, forming projections which extendjfrom the lower'face of the seat. The buffers 11 are adapted to cushion the seat in its contactwith the supporting member, and eliminate noise in dropping the seat from a raised position. The spacing of the seat from the upper face. of the supporting memter to drain. The flanged 'supporting mein@ ber forms a recess to receive the seat,y which also extends into a recess of a lidyor cover 12.

`ber is for the purpose of permitting the lat'-v The lid or cover 1Q, which is connected-at` the back withthe outer casing 1 by an exf terior hinge 1,3, isA designed tobe constructed of galvanized sheet vmetal or other suitable material, and is` provided with a down wardly extending vertical flangeld and an outwardly entendinghorizontal flange 15, which rests upon the outwardly projecting flange 10 of the supporting member 5. lThe lid or cover and the supporting member y form a space in which the seat is received4 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The lid or cover, when open, is arranged in a slightly inclined position, and entends upwardly and forwardly from the back of the casing, and it is adapted to close automatically when free to move. The lid or cover, which may be conveniently opened by a pedal or foot plate 16, is maintained in an open position by mechanism arranged to receive pressure from a person occupying the seat. The mechanism comprises in its construction a pair of side levers 17 constructed of suitable metal and fulcrumed at a point intermediate of their ends on terminal projecting portions 18 of a horizontal supporting bar19, curved between the terminal portions 18 to lit the outer ,casing 1 and riveted or otherwisesecured to the same. The terminal portions 18,; which are straight, have their ends bent rearwardly at right angles to form ears '20,y to which the levers are pivoted by pins 21 piercing the ears and the levers and provided with cotter pins Q2. T he levers, which may be pivoted to the supporting bar in any other desired manner, are connected at their rear` arms with the hinged lid of a pair of straight links 23 pivoted at their lower ends to the rear terminals ofthe side levers 17 by yrivets 24 or other suitablewfastening device, and `also connected at their yupper endsvby suitable 'pivots 25 with ears 26 of an upper transverse connectingbar 27 riveted or otherwise scoured tothe upper or outer face of the lid or cover and projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof. The terminals of the yupper transverse connecting bar Q7 are bent at right angles to form the ears 26, which eX- tend downwardly whenv the lid or cover is` in its closed position.l ,When the lid or cover is bent, it carries with it the side links 23, which swing the rear arms of the side levers 17 upwardly during such opening movement. s The front arfns of the said levers are swung downwardly by the opening inovement ofthe lid or cover, and they are connected by a lower transverse bar 28, having its terminals bent downwardly at right angles to forni ears 29, which are pivoted to the front ends ofthe side leversi 17 by rivets 30 or other suitable fastening devices. The lower connecting bar, which is of the same lengthv as the upper connecting bar, is of a similar construction, and it is,l connected `at its centerwitha verticalybar 31 provided in` termediate of `its ends `.with right angle bends forming kan intermediate horizontal portion 32, which is secured to the lower connecting bar at the upper face thereof by arivet 33 or othersuitable fastening means.` Thever tical ,bar 31, isY slidable downwardly', and upwardly through a guidey 34,L and carries a horizontal leg recei ingwbaryf.. The upper end 36 of the vertical banl is bent rear'- wardly at right angles to form a leg or ear which is` centrally secured to the leg receiving bar 35 at the lower face thereof. The terminal portions of the leg receiving bar are supported by oppositely inclined braces 37, preferably constructed of a single piece of metal and connected at their lower ends by al horizontal portion 8S, which is secured to the upper face of the lower connecting bar 28 by a rivet 33. necting portion 38 is interposed between the horizontal portion of the vertical bar 31 and the lower connecting bar 28. The upper terminals of the inclined braces 37 are bent out` wardly at right angles to form attaching lugs or ears 39, and the fastening means for securing the lugs or ears 36 and 39 to the lower face of the leg receiving bar 35 tei-ininates short of the upper face thereof. The guide 3l, which is constructed of suitable metal, extends rearwardly from the outer casing 1 and it consists of an approximately rectangular loop composed of spaced sides and a connecting outer portion, the terminals ofthe metal being extended laterally in opposite directions at the inner ends of the said sides to form attaching portions Ll() which are riveted or otherwise secured to the i said outer casing 1. lThe sides of the guide are connected at an intermediate point bya cross piece lll, suitably secured to the lsaid sides and arranged in spaced relation with the said transverse connecting portion of the loop to forma guide opening to receive the vertical bar 31. 1

The leg receiving bar 35, which extends laterally Vfrom the Lipper end of the verticallylslidable bar 31, is located in an elevated position abovethe casing 1 whenthe lid or cover is closed, as illustrated in Fig. E3 of thev drawing, and the opening movement of the lid or cover lowers the horizontal leg receiving bar 35 to theguide 3l. 1n this position thehorizontal leg receiving bar is located substantially in the plane of the upper face of the seat, and is adapted to extend beneath the legs of the occupant, whereby it will be subjected to pressure for maintaining the lid or cover in its open position. The horizontal guide B -l forms a support for the leg receiving bar and limits the downward movement thereof and the consequent opening movement of the lid or cover, which is thereby maintained at a forward inclination when in its lopen position Ito cause a positive automatic closing of the lid or cover when they vertical bar is free to ino've upwardly. placed on the lower transverse connecting bar` 28 and the pressure exerted thereon will also operate to prevent the lid or cover froniclosing. rIfhe lower portion 42 of the vertical bar 31 depends fromthe lower con-` maar ba ad @wie e@ sede e for plate 16, which is connected at' its rear not# The horizontal con The feet may alsdbe l, any other desired manner.

- tionwith the lower end of the vertical bar by being formed integral therewith, -or in The foot plate or pedal is adapted to be depressed by the operator, and it rests upon the floor when the lid or cover is in its open position. The foot plate or pedal, in engaging the floor, cooperates with the guide 34 in forming a stop to limit'the opening movement of the lid or cover. As' soon as themechanism connected with the lid or cover is relieved of pressure, the lid or cover will `close automatically through the action of gravity. The foot plate or treadle not only forms a convenient means for opening the lid or cover, but kenables the same to be readily held in an open position by a person in leaving the seat, vso that the hinged lid or cover will not automatically close and strike a person.V

The innerreceptacle 8, which is of greater diameter than the seat opening 7 extends from the bottom ofthe casing to within a short distance of the seat. The inner receptacle,'which is equipped with abail 43, is provided at its upper edge with an out` "wardly extending horizontal annular liange 44, adapted tosupport a removable lid or cover 45. The lid or cover45,vwhich preferably consists of a flat disk, is provided v'at its lower face with a yieldable gasket 46,

adapted to lit against the upper face of the horizontal flange 44 to "form .an airtight `joint to prevent the escapepf odors when the finner` receptacle is removed from the casing `l. The lid or cover45 is tightly secured on the liange 44 by4 clamping bars or members 47, arranged in pairs at 'opposite sides of the lid or cover 45 and pivoted to the same by rivets 48 which also fasten a handle 49 to the said lid'or cover 45. The terminal portions of `the clamping bars 47 are bent downwardly and inwardly,and

'the pivots or rivets 48 are arranged eccentrically with relationto the lid or cover 45. When the clamping bars or members 47 are extended in substantial alinement with the Vhandle 49, their outer engaging portions 50 are carried beyond the flange 44 andthe lid or cover 5 may then beqreadily placed on and removed from the inner receptacle 8. The clamping bars or members47 are carried into engagement with the flange 44 by 1 swinging them apart and arranging them at lterior of the roomforapartment .in which casing. v. i

back of the `'casing i at a point belowlthe'" hinged lid or cover. The casing is. provided v at the vent pipe withan interior screen 54, and it is equippedat the lback with an exlterior bracket 55 of substantially L-shape,

consisting of an approximately vertical arm and a rearwardly projecting arm-arranged at a slight inclination and adapted to l'form astop or seat for the hinged lid or cover 12, as clearly illustrated indotted lines in also provided in its rearwardly` projecting portion with an opening 55a tor'the kreception of a wire 56 or other suitable fastening -ymeans for 'securing the vent pipe to the bracket,` whereby the vent pipe is `firmly y maintainedin an upright position and is prevented from becoming accidentally disconnected fromfyrthe outer casing when the dry closet is subjected to morevor lessrough yI" ig. 210i. the drawing. The bracket 55'is y,

usage. The yVentilating pipe, which operates y inthe-usual manner to carry away the odors from the dry closet, is designed to extend through the roof or to any other point exthe dry closet is placed. lVhen the lid or cover is closed, flies and kother insects are etfectually excluded from the interior of the casing. rEhe inner receptacleis equippedl vwith a bag or container 5,7, `constructed of oiled paper orI other suvtable material, and

- of a. ysize to fit the'interior of thezinner receptacle 8. The bag or'container, which is o` a length greater. than the yinner receptacle, is adapted to have its upper portion or edge 58 folded back-from the upper` edge ofthe inner receptacle.` V'l`he'innerbag or container enables 'the ycontentsof the f inner receptacle to be readily removed;l As the wooden seat is of a thickness -greaterfl than the depth ofthe rcess of the. supporting member 6, a person using the seat will not come incontact with .the metal of the outer casinggand the leg receiving bar 35 cooperates with the seat to support'the legs out of contact with'the upper edge of the `outer That is claimed is 1. A dryy closet including a casing, a seat of lessv diameter than the casing having an opening, a supporting member receiving and constituting the sole-support of the seat and l flanged at its periphery to rest upon the upper edge of the casing, and provided with an opening corresponding with thei-seat open` ing, said supporting member being inclined downwardly and inwardly from thel walls of the-outer casing to its opening and arranged at an angle to the lower face-of the seat.

2. A dry closet includingv a'casin'g, a supporting member arranged within the `upper portion of the casing and provided atits pe.- .i

riphery with an upwardly extendingfiange and also with an outwardly extendingiiange,

the latter being supported upon the'y upper having an opening, a seat mounted upon the l said supporting member and arranged Within `the 'upwardly extending tiange thereof, and a lid or cover provided at its periphery with a downwardly extending flange to storm .1 a recess into which the seat extends, said lid or cover being also provided with an outwardly extending tlange arrangedupon the outwardly extending l'lange ot the supporti ing member and the seat being entirely inclosed when the lid or cover is closed.

3. A dry closet including a casing, a lid or cover hinged to the casing at the back thereof, a vent pipe also connected with the back ofthe casing, a bracket secured to the back of the casing and having a projecting portion forming a stop for the lid or cover, and means for securing the vent pipe to the projecting portion of the bracket.

el. A dry closet including a portable casing having a seat, an automatically closable lid hinged to the casing, a pair of levers tulcrumed intermediate ot their ends at opposite sides of the casing to form front and reararlns and carried by the said Casing, means for connecting the rear arms of the levers with the lid, anda front toot piece or `pedal connectedvvith the Ylront arms of the levers and arranged to rest upon the floor when the lid is open, whereby the lid may be maintained in such open position by' stand.`

ing on` the foot plate or pedal.

5. A dry closet including a portable casing having a seat','an automatically closable lid hinged to the casing, a pair oflevers tulcrumed intermediate `of their ends at opposite `sides of the lower portion ot' the casing ,totorm trent and rear arms and carried by the said casing, links located at opposite sides oi' the casing and connecting the rear arms of the levers with the lid, a front transverse bar connecting the front arms of the levels, and a foot plate or pedal carried by kthe front connecting bar and arranged `to rest upon the tloor when the lid is open, so that the lid may be maintained in an open position by standing upon the foot plate or pedal.

6. A dry closet including a portable casing having a seat, an automatically closable lid hinged to the casing, a pair of levers tulcrumed intermediate et their ends at opposite sides of the lower portion of the casing to torni trent and rear arms and carried by the said casing, links located at opposite sides ot the casing and connecting the rear arms of the levers with the lid, a front trans-l` verse bar connecting the front arms of the levers, a vertically movable bar secured to the front transverse bar and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom, leg receiving means carried by the upper end of y the vertically movable bar, and a pedal or toot plate extending from the lower end of the vertically movable bar and arranged to rest upon the Floor when the lid is open, so

that the lidk may be maintained in an open position by standing upon the toot plate or pedal.

7. A dry closet including a portable casing havinga seat, an automatically closable lid hinged tothe casing, a pair of levers fulcrumed intermediate of their ends at opposite sides ot the lower portion of the casing to form Jfront and rear arms and carried by the said casing, links located at opposite sides et the casing and connecting the rear; arms of the levers with the lid, a front trans` verse bar connecting the front arms Vof the levers, a verticallymovable bar secured to and extendingv upwardly 'from the front connecting bar and having a central :toot plate or pedal limited in its downward movement by the floor, whereby the lid may be maintained in an open position by standing upon the foot plate or pedal, a leg1 receiving bar .carried by the upper end olf the vertically i `mm'able bar andy extending laterally 'trom GEORGE ALVAH N. COPPEDGE.

Jl/vitnesses l NANNIE l). Herm, SAM R. Home.

Copies otthspatentv may be obtained for :five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D, (2., 

